Queensland Reds scrumhalf Kalani Thomas has secured his future at Ballymore for the next two years.
The deal will see Thomas compete with Reds co-captain Tate McDermott for the nine jersey in maroon and gold until the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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“Being around home in a good environment and playing for a team I love, I didn’t want to leave,” Thomas said in a statement.
“I had a couple of options to consider but I want to commit in Australia, especially with the World Cup coming up in ’27.
“My ultimate goal is to play for the Wallabies. I may or may not but I’ll know I’ve given it my all.”
The 23-year-old's opportunities have been limited behind McDermott, starting just twice in 2025.
But Thomas has thrived when he has had an opportunity, crediting Reds Head of Psychology Hayley Cronin for getting the best out of him.
“I was a real hothead in my younger days in terms of being a competitor who wanted things to be perfect,” Thomas said.
“With Hayley, I’ve worked heaps on the mental side of my game. The result has been the most confident I’ve felt playing footy in the last five years."
McDermott loves working with Thomas and the scrumhalf was pleased to continue the partnership heading into the future.
"He's been impressive this year. He's come on and changed games for us, and that's been huge in terms of our mindset of shifting gears and that's credit to Kalani, the work he's done off the field and on it so really happy to have him around for another two years," McDermott said on Thursday.
"I think our partnership in terms of the minute split we play has been really good. I've really enjoyed watching him add tempo and energy to the site and to have him around for another two years.
"It's great for the club to have so much depth in that position and it's good to compete with him week in, week out."
